Saffa signs new Worcester Warriors deal

TRANSFER NEWS: South African-born wing Dean Hammond has committed his future to Worcester Warriors by signing a new contract to remain at Sixways.

The 25-year-old is the latest in a string of players to sign on ahead of the 2018/19 season, as Director of Rugby Alan Solomons looks to build consistency and stability within the squad.

English-qualified Hammond, who first arrived at Sixways from Western Province as part of the Academy in September 2013, has gone on to make 62 appearances, crossing the whitewash on 25 occasions.

The explosive wing was handed his Warriors debut in his first month at the Club, coming on as a replacement at Wasps before making 15 appearances in his maiden season at Sixways.

Hammond then played a significant part in Warriors' British & Irish Cup triumph in 2014/15, scoring in the final, while also bagging a try in an impressive Greene King IPA Championship semi-final, as Warriors went on to secure promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.

After seven tries in just 11 games during 2014/15, Hammond continued to compete for a place on the wing throughout the next couple of seasons, showing his finishing prowess when presented with opportunities, as he added 11 tries in 25 games across the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.

He has continued his try-scoring form during this campaign, with six scores in 12 matches, and also picked up the Club’s October Player of the Month award.

Hammond, who represented South Africa Under-20 in 2012, said: "I’ve been here a long time now and Worcester has certainly become my home.

"The Club is renowned for giving opportunities to young players and that was something that attracted me here in my earlier years and something which is still evident today.

"Now I want to push on and fight for my place in the first-team where we have some exciting and talented players all driving competition,"

"He has shown how lethal he is at finishing over the past few seasons and with him, Bryce Heem, Josh Adams, Perry Humphreys and Tom Howe vying for places on the wings, we have fantastic strength in depth,"